Archive for February, 2010

Damien Bartoli (1947-2009)

The Art Renewal Center® has some extremely sad news to report. Damien Bartoli, the Bouguereau biographer, who worked with ARC Chairman, Fred Ross M.A. and Dr. Vern Swanson to produce the first comprehensive Catalogue Raisonné on William Bouguereau passed away in mid-December.

Mr. Bartoli worked tirelessly on the Bouguereau Catalogue Raisonné project from the very beginning until last July, when content for the 30-year effort was handed over to our co publisher for final layout and printing.

He continued to work with Mr. Ross on other projects* until the day before he died, apparently from a heart attack while driving from Paris to Belgium.

We have lost a great friend and colleague. Our hearts go out to his wife, Martine and their two children, Xavier and Laetitia.

Sadly, as this publication is about to be realized, he will never see the fruits of his life's most important work.
We are all heart broken beyond words.

You may have already noticed a few improvements in the way this website shows new updates. First, in the right column (you have to scroll down a bit to see it) there’s a list of the new artworks, articles, ARChive posts, etc. for a quick check. We also have a page that shows the latest artworks added to the site available at http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/recentchanges.php which shows the newest works in thumbnail form for easy browsing. Give it a try and let us know how you like it!

Posted Sunday, February 28th, 2010

The Dahesh Museum Presents "Becoming an Artist: The Academy in 19th-Century France"

presentsBecoming an Artist: The Academy in 19th-Century France
February 26 – April 29, 2010 Monday through Saturday, 11-6

PALITZ GALLERY
Lubin House
11 East 61st Street
New York CityAdmission is Free
For more information: www.daheshmuseum.org

The exhibition highlights the rigorous technical training and broad-based curriculum that attracted students from France and abroad to the highly selective French Academy.
The exacting system held competitions that rewarded excellence, created a hierarchy of preferred subject matter and allowed an unexpected variety of artistic expression. More than anything, the Academy was a crucial step to a successful career.

The Water Girl, 1885
by William Adolphe Bouguereau

Posted Monday, February 22nd, 2010

New Artworks for the ARC Living Masters Gallery for ARC Living Artist™ Mark Lovett

Four new images have been added to the gallery of ARC Living Artist™, Mark Lovett.

Rufus Collins, a classically-trained New York actor who studied literature at Columbia College and acting in London at the Central School of Speech and Drama, will discuss Hamlet's interest in the ancient world and his classical orientation, particularly as it is expressed at the arrival of a troupe of itinerant actors in Act II, scene 2.

Posted Thursday, February 18th, 2010

"This website is like a santuary for me."

This website is like a sanctuary for me. It keeps me connected to the thoughts of rational thinking people. I’m a life long artist. My father started me off drawing at a very young age. Even in kindergarten the talent was recognized and I received attention for it. Now that I’m 51 yrs old I truly appreciate the role art has been in my life. I’ve studied Realism at the Atelier in Oakland ,CA. which is run by Mr David Hardy. I thank God I found that place!!! Though my studies there have ended I still feel such a part of that studio. I could probably use another couple of years under his tutalege,we’ll see. This website helps me to stay the course. To hold up quality over quantity. To always give my best and to thirst for the knowledge to keep improving.
Its like what President Kennedy said about going to the moon. We do it not because its easy but because it is hard.

ARC Approved™ Academy of Realist Art is expanding its reach in North America and Europe in the coming months. While details won't be available until the official announcements are made, plans are in the works for ARA – with the enthusiastic support of local government agencies – to open a new school in a European resort location as early as June 2010.Further:

• ARA is also in the very early stages of considering a new site in the UK in response to popular demand.
• ARA Boston www.academyofrealistartboston.com is undergoing some major upgrades and grooming new instuctors to accommodate its growing student population and expanding workshop calendar schedule.
• Monart Art School, in Ottowa will now be home to an extended ARA curriculum, and will feature regularly scheduled workshops with senior ARA instructors.Check the ARA website for updates at: www.academyofrealistart.com or email: info@academyofrealistart.com

The week-long schedule of sculpting and free public events will encourage classical figurative sculpture and bring together exceptionally talented artists, students, teachers and the public for dialogue review.Applications are due Thursday, April 1, 2010 and are available for download here. For questions, please contact GCAsculpturecompetition@gmail.com .

Posted Friday, February 12th, 2010

ARA Alumnus Receives Prestigious Vatican Commission

Former ARC Approved™ Academy of Realist Art student and portrait specialist Will Nathans recently completed a portrait commission for the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher in Vatican City.

The portrait will be kept in the Palazzo della Rovere in Vatican City where His Eminence is stationed.

"ARA training has empowered me artistically, for which I will be always grateful."
–Will Nathans

ARC Approved LAAFA (Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art) is currently looking for talented instructors in figurative painting, drawing, and/or composition and color theory to become a part of our faculty. We are looking for open-minded artists who have a completely solid understanding of figurative form, but who value diversity and the modern art tradition as well.
LAAFA's foundation comes from a strong base in fundamental realism, embodied in the “Academy” movement of Europe and coupled with the modern “traditional” figurative movement in America. We balance the academic approach with a more realistic approach to figurative study that combines anatomy, gesture, form, and design with the comparative method.
Our LAAFA/Atelier curriculum represents a "contemporary dialogue with classical sources".In fact, as LAAFA develops toward BFA accreditation, special efforts will be made to develop general education courses which reflect that same respect for classical sources. Studio classes will maintain the tradition of the past, with an eye on the present. Our graduates will have a strong foundation of classical drawing and painting, tempered with a realization that we live in a progressive age where art making is more than just simple representation, it is a source of social change and awareness.
If you would like to start a discussion with LAAFA, please send a CV to us in care of Director, Cindy Jackson.

Posted Friday, February 5th, 2010

McCormack Studios 2010 Workshops Schedule Available

The 2010 schedule for workshops held in the McCormack Studios is now posted.

The McCormack Studios, founded by ARC Master™ Paul McCormack, are housed in the former Historic Dutchess/Garner Print Works building in the Market Street Industrial Park of Wappingers Falls, NY.

In the Coupon Box at checkout, enter romanticprints for 15% off these romantic favorites or ValentinesDay2010 for 10% off your own personal favorite or ARC books, DVDs and catalogues.
*Offer expires March 15; Excludes preorders for the Catalogue Raisonné on William Bouguereau